The Superpulse C02 Surgical Laser offers the safest, least
painful method of de-clawing a cat available today. While
most veterinarians simply cut off the claw and a portion of
the bone to which it is attached with a “sterilized”
toenail clipper, at the American Animal Care Center we perform a complete
surgical Laser Onychectomy. This means that there can never
be any painful re-growth of nail tissue because the entire
claw and attached, non weight-bearing, bone are surgically
removed. Since the laser seals the blood vessels and nerves
the cat quickly returns to normal activity, usually within
one to three weeks following surgery. The Laser makes this
a virtually bloodless operation!

Everything possible is done to insure that this is as safe
and “Pain-Free” as possible. Your cat will receive:

Surgical de-clawing should be reserved
for indoor cats and should be considered only after all other
attempts to train your cat have failed. I personally feel
that the Laser De-Claw is far less traumatic to your cat than
constantly yelling, squirting, and chasing your cat every
time he or she goes for the furnishings! Following surgery
cats will still claw at furniture. The only difference is
they won’t be able to destroy it!

Declaw done by most
other hospitals:

Done with nail clippers (cuts through
the bone)

Entire bone is not removed so the
claw could grow back

Tourniquets used to control bleeding

Pressure bandages needed to control
bleeding

Pain control??

Declaw done with the laser:

Laser used to dissect out
the bone (impossible for claw to grow back)

Laser seals blood vessels
so no need for tourniquets

Only light bandages used because
of very little bleeding

Laser seals nerve endings
therefore making procedure less painful

Pain medication before, during,
and after surgical procedure

Nerve blocks to numb feet
(even while under general anesthesia) prevents pain
later

Faster healing than traditional
declaw

DECLAW POST OPERATIVE HOME CARE:

Exercise: Restrict your cat's activity
for the next 4 weeks. Discourage your cat from aggressive
activity and jumping. If your cat had Laser Declaw you
will notice a quicker healing period with less complications.

Cats have a natural tendency to lick
their paws after surgery. Excessive licking can be harmful
and can lead to infection. Therefore, please keep Elizabethan
collar on at ALL times for at least two weeks. This will
greatly minimize complications.

Litter Box: Replace the normal granular
clay litter with torn strips of newspaper for two weeks.
If your cat doesn't find this appealing, place a thin
layer of litter underneath the torn strips of newspaper.
This paper can also be available commercially from our
office.

Having a hard time confining your pet???
If tough love is not for you, or if your pet is extremely
active, we recommend hospitalization for your pet. The
time away from bookcases, high shelves, and comfy beds
will allow your feline the rest that he/she deserves and
needs.

What's that "string" on the
paws? Your pet may have stitches that are dissolvable.
We rarely remove them because it causes more trauma to
remove them then to just let them fall out on there own...so
don't worry in time they will fall out.

Notify the hospital if any of the following
occur:
a) Your cat's feet appear swollen or bleed frequently
b) Your pet is reluctant to walk.
c) There is a change in your cat's general health or behavior.
d) Your pet is acting sick: vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence,
or any other major symptom.